Skip to main content

The Search for an FRSA


Sad little plant at the FRSA's desk
Several years ago, the Army authorized a civilian job position to assist Army units with their Family Readiness programs.  Titled a "Family Readiness Support Assistant," the FRSA's job is to act as an administrative assistant to the unit command in family readiness issues.  The program has had many successes as well as its share of failures ... I personally have encountered both extremes in the FRSA world: the most professional, efficient, helpful assistant possible to a downright disruptive employee that the unit might well be better off without.

Having seen the highs and lows that this program can produce, I am still optimistic about the value and potential of the individuals placed in these positions.  When we moved to a new battalion last April, we were introduced to a wonderful FRSA who worked hard, enjoyed her job, and had the Soldiers' best interests at heart.  Unfortunately, her Soldier husband received orders to move and, sadly, she had to move with him. 

We have been without an FRSA since July.  A combination of field time, training, interview schedules, and issues with the Civilian Personnel system have thwarted our plans to hire a new person for this position.  My husband has interviewed quite a few candidates and has attempted to hire two of them.  The first was deemed "not eligible" (by the very same organization that presented us with the list of eligible candidates -- where she was clearly listed ... *sigh*) and the second ... well, we're waiting to hear.  Hopefully, the unit will have an FRSA in place in February, after a JRTC rotation but before deployment.

So ... several ladies recently decided to help clean out the "FRSA Closet" in hopes that the adage "If you build it, she will come" might come true.  When we arrived, we were greeted by the sad little plant pictured above.  It had previously been cared for by the former FRSA ... and is now representative of our unit's FRSA life.  =)  We joke that when the plant revives, we'll have our new employee!  Stay tuned for more!



Comments

  1. See...and I would LOVE to apply for an FRSA position, but can never find the listings on the ACPOL site -even AFTER FTCKY announces that day that it has been posted! *sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been an Family Readiness Group Leader back at Ft Carson, CO I had to start the group up from the start and I helped my FRSA Fran Hunter with her filing. I got some in site of what she did and if I stead at Ft Carson, CO I would have applied for an FRSA position. While the FRG Leader I was voted volunteer of the quarter. 1/67 AR 2 Brg 4 ID. Golf Company 2009-2010. I moved back home while my husband went over seas. Now he is back and we are heading to FT. Hood, TX in Oct. I am a student currently at Globe University is Sioux Falls, SD Graduating in Dec with my assosiates Degree in Business Administration.

    Please Help me and tell me how I can apply for the FRSA postion.

    Thanks
    Michele Fauset
    605212-8226
    michelefauset@live.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Fabulous Remarks

Popular posts from this blog

The Change of Command Ceremony

Last Friday, my Family and I participated in the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division change of command on Fort Hood, Texas.  Hubby became the battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment and joined a wonderful group of "Red Dragon" Soldiers and Families.  It's a dream come true for us ... one of those things you hope in the back of your mind you'll get to do one day, but know realistically that the chances are slim you'll get to do it. When I first saw his name on 'the list' that the Army publishes, I was elated for him.  No one knows more than I do his passion for the Army and for the Soldiers in it.  He is a wonderful leader and cares so much.  We both knew that this would be the adventure of a lifetime.  We explained this new job to our two boys (ages ten and six) as best we could and they kept saying, "We'll have 500 new friends on Friday!" as their summary of the discussion.  =) The ceremony was amazing, a st

Rooftop Promotion Party at Old Ebbitt

We decided that 21+ years of military service and a promotion to Colonel warranted an extra-special celebration.  Since the promotion ceremony was at the Pentagon, we had lots of great venue options in our Nation's Capitol.  We loved living in the National Capitol Region and really wanted a very "DC" experience.  After researching and asking lots of DC expert friends, we decided on the Old Ebbitt Grill and their Rooftop Terrace. We could not have dreamed up a more amazing space.  The views are absolutely breathtaking, the staff  is professional, friendly, and accommodating, and the food is delicious.  The combination of passed hors d'oeuvres, embellishment platters, and a mini bar ensured that everyone was well-fed and able to enjoy each other and the venue.  Adding mini cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes topped off a delicious evening. The Rooftop provided the perfect venue for our big weekend.  Even the weather cooperated with our plans and we enjoyed a light bre

TORCH and ADVON

Photo: ADVON returning from a year-long deployment. Okay, I have to admit that after 15+ years as an Army wife, I don’t know what ‘TORCH’ and ‘ADVON’ stand for. Something about advanced party … but there’s no ‘p’ for ‘party’ … so I just don’t know. I do, however, know what it means. It means your Soldier comes home FIRST!! We’ve never had the honor of either of those designations. My husband somehow manages to get himself into the ‘stay-behind-and-make-sure-all is-well-out-here’ job and comes home late or last. Not that I’m complaining, though, as I am happy these TORCH and ADVON folks get here and get the place ready for everyone else to come home. In a way, it’s reassuring to me. The wheels are turning, the process has begun … our unit actually is coming home and coming home soon! Homecoming becomes reality, not just a long-sought-after dream. It’s good to see our unit patch and our unit Soldiers back at home, on U.S. soil and on our Army installation. It’s heartening to w